Forest Fires Increase During Eid

Jakarta. A number of forest fires occurred in Riau, Sumatra, during the Eid holidays on Wednesday, July 6, and was extinguished on Friday by the forest authorities.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and Riau Governor's office has ordered the Task force Integrated Forest Fire in Riau to continuing their efforts to extinguish the fire, to stop the hotspots in order to avoid the spread like last year.

Based on observations by the Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space Agency (Lapan), their satelite have spotted 49 hotspots in Sumatra with a confidence level of more than 50 percent and nine hotspots in Riau with a confidence level of more than 70 percent on Wednesday.

But according to BNPB, the number of hotspots with a confidence level of more than 70 percent have increased on Friday. In the list, there were 19 hotspots in Riau, 41 in Sumatra, 10 in South Sulawesi and two in Central Kalimantan.

The Task Force integrated Forest Fire officials are still working their way to extinguish the fire from both the ground and air support, with efforts to collaborated with the office of the Provincial Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), National Army, National Police, Mangala Agni Forest Fire Brigade and various volunteers.

Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, Head of BNPB data information and public relations, said that the fires are generally inaccesible and it will take time for ground officers to reach the scene.

He also stated that the BNPB had predicted forest fires will be incresed during Eid and long holidays.

Although it happened, there were no reports of wildlife disturbed or locals in the area were injured.

"There were no reports of any impact on society because of its location, and the standard of air pollution index still showed a healthy level," said Sutopo on Friday.



source:
JakartaGlobe